50 free tools to extend your Windows XP PC

Extend XP today, for free

By PC Advisor staff | 16 May 08

While Microsoft is keen for us to move to Windows Vista, we've got other ideas. With a brand-new service pack and a slew of useful add-ons XP works better than ever. Here are 50 tools that can extend XP's useful working life still further.

How to downgrade to XP

While we haven't gone so far as to downgrade our Vista machines, a number of PC Advisor readers have reported that they've done so using the following method.

You need to have a copy of Vista Business or Ultimate in order to be able to execute the downgrade, and it has to be an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) preinstalled version of Windows Vista at that. You also need a Windows XP disc.

To start the procedure, install Windows XP in the normal way. Towards the end of the process you'll be prompted to activate your OS – choose to do so by phone rather than online. Have your Vista activation code to hand and, when asked by the Microsoft support representative, tell him or her you wish to perform a ‘downgrade' to XP. They should then talk you through the rest of the process.

Note that, in contrast to the way an upgrade works, programs and settings
on the existing installation aren't retained, so you'll need to back up and archive everything before you begin. You'll also need access to licences for the software
you install on your XP machine. Good luck!

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Comments

The Watcher said: Hey Ron Ill give you a dollar This article is really useful more please

Ron Graves said: FireFTP is NOT free You can download it but it wont run unless you make a donation first This apparently can be as little as 1 but its not a freebie so why is it here

Ron Graves said: I dont know which Firefox addons Woodburner had problems with but those Ive looked at gave me no problems at all

woodburner said: I tried to download several of the Firefoxaddons but on each occasion I received the message Microsoft can not find the associated file was this not checked before you published article

Regmon said: My sincere apologies if there are 50 Free Tools but I never got to them through all the Anti-Vista stuff and still believe that such tactics will put off potential customers far more than encourage them

The watcher said: there are 50 free tools but seems odd to make people read 9 pages of anti Vista first

Regmon said: This sort of false description of an article probably does more to discourage customers from buying the mag than anything else If you have 50 Free Toolsby all means shout it from the rooftops If you haventdont tell ouright lies

Hanea said: Just Another Anti Vista article I am really sick of these type of articles Especially when they try to promote other OSs between the lines Leopard I stopped reading at page 9 because I got bored from waiting for the great 50 free tools for XP I just shutdown reading this Guys be objective and try to bring a real benefit for your readers not just dump the anti Vista content templates that I have been reading all over the web The same thing every where Come on Move over I am using both Vista and XP and happy with them the most Every one has a place for me but not Leopard neither Ubuntu

Rob said: Nine pages of anti Vista then some XP stuff and not even the best free tools for XPWaste of time

Catweazle said: Theres a bit of a typo in this article - it says speaking of Vista downgrade to XP Clearly it should be Upgrade to XP